potter



No. 625,86I.

\ Patented. May 30:, |899. E. M. VAIL & G. POTTER.

STAMP CANCELINE MACHINE.

(Applimton led )by 14, 1898.)

7 Sheets-Sheet l.

(N0 Model.)

faz /33 96 v No. 625,86I. r Patented May 30, |899 E. M. VAIL & G. POTTER. STAIP CANGELING lMACHINE.

(Application led Hay 14, 1898.)

7 Sheets-Shut 2` (No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Patented ay 30, i899. MIL G. P'H'ER STP CNCLWB WMINE.k applicativa mad my m, was) No. 625,86.. Patented May 30, |899.

- E. M. VAIL & G. POTTER.

STAMP CANCELING MACHINE. (A'pplication led May 14, 1898.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

No. 625,86l. Patented May 311|, |899. E. M. VAIL & G. PUTTER. STAMP' CANC'ELING MACHINE.

(Application led Hay 14, 18980 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

Wagga@ No. 4625,86I.v Patented May 30, |899.. E. M. 'VAIL 6. (i. POTTER. STAMP GANGELINGIAGHINE.

Application led Hay 14. 1898.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 (No Modal.)

wi'hjesszs Ilo EDWARDM; ,vAIjL,` oF nizwnnnn, `AND crinon` POTTER, oF oscEoLA,

.Y f ILmNoIs .sTAM'ccAN c-ELiNG -lvmCi-uNE1-l sPEcIrIcA'trioN forming part of Letters Patent fue. 625,861., dated May' ao, is9e.

useful Stamp-Canceling Machine, of which the following is al specification.

This inventionhas relation to machines for postmarking and canceling lette-rs and like matter transmitted through the mails and re'- quiring the stamps `to be canceled and the location of the --post-oflice tolbe designated.

One'of'the principalobjects of the iuven tion is to `devise simple means for separating the letters and causing them to feed through the machine singly, thereby insuring each being canceled and postmarked, the sepa,-

, rating means being yieldable, so as to accom.-

modate letters varying in thickness without resulting in injury to the operating parts or obstructing the feed of the letters through the machine.

The invention is 'also designed to provide a positive feeding mechanism which will be light-running and operate by reciprocating in the same plane a restraining device co' operating with and forming an essential part ofthe feeder, so as to hold the letters against outward movement during the return of the feeder to a starting position after it has'ad` vanced a-letter to the' canceling mechanism. The teeth or points of the feeder are disposed so as to be selfsharpening and are thereby maintained in prime working condition without necessitating thesharpening of the teeth after themachiue has, been in service for a short time. l 1 v p The invention is also designed to secure a clear impression ofy the postmarkingtype and prevent-blur, sucha's is occasioned by a slipping ,of the letter when in contact with the printing-type. Means are provided for positively advancing'the letters through the canceling 'mechanism vand at a speed. corresponding with the movement ofthe printingsurface, thereby resulting in a distinct and well-"dened imprint.

y Afurther purpose of the improvement is to vprevent the inking of the roller-bed when no p 'lettcrs 'are 'passingv between said roller and Serial No. 680,737. (No' model.)

the printing-cylinder, as when the last letter of a pile has passed through the machine, the parts being disposed so as to be automatically tripped,whereby the bed-roller is moved away from the printing-cylinder and the machine 'is thrown out of action.

The improvement is further designed for securing a positive stacking of the letters after they have been canceled, the follower and the lettersybeing positively moved along the receiving letter-way, whereby the stackingfreelis relieved of the work of moving the entire pile, which would be the case if no means were resorted to` for moving the pile of letters independently of the stackerreel. As a result of this construction, the mechanism is lighter running, freer` in action,`aud not liable to rapid wear.

A further purpose of the improvement is the construction of the printing-cylinder so as to admit ofthe printing-types being quickly changed according to the year, month, day, and hour, so that the stoppage of the machine for this purpose will he of.a minimum length of time, so as to be hardly noticeable and not interfere materiallywith the work, the printing-types being securely andlfirmly held in place when positioned.

The invention is further designed 'to improve `and increase the usefulness` of this class of machines, whereby they are rendered more certain and positive in action and are less liable to miss canceling letters and whereby they are rendered reliable` and effectiveV for the purpose intended.

For a full understanding of the merits and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of various minor details of construction without departingfrom the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation .thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Y Figure 1 is a perspective view' of a stampcanceling and pqstmarking machine yespecially designed for carryingv into eect the objects of thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan advantages of the invention'reference is tobe had to the accompanying drawings and changes in the form, proportion, and thev view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, parts being broken away and the lower portion of the framework omitted. Fig. 4 is a transverse section. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the bed or table and the parts connected therewith, theframework being omitted. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section about on the; line X X of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detail view, on a larger scale, of the printing-cylinder, bed-roller, mountings for the bed-roller, and the instrumentalities for throwing the machine outof gear and the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder. Fig. 8, is a detail view in perspective of the feeding, the restraining, and the separating devices. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the relation of the parts comprising the separator and indicating a letter passing between them. Fig. 10 is a rear view of the feeding and restraining devices, showing their mountings, the dotted lines indicating the position of the feeder when at the limit of its forward stroke. Fig. 1l is a detail view in perspective of the feeder. Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the feeding mechanism, showingthe relation of the follower by means of which the letters are advanced to the feeder and indicating the trip, the latter being struck by the carriage of the follower, so as to throw the machine out of action and thev bed-,roller away from the printing-cylinder. Fig. 13 is a transverse section of the printing-cylinder. Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the printing-cylinder', the cap-plate being removed. Fig. 15 is a horizontal section of the printing-cylinder. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the bed-roller and its mountings. Fig. 17is adetail view showing the cooperating parts between the printingcylinder and bed-roller for positively feeding a letter between them. Fig. 18 is a vertical central section of the inking device. Fig. 19 is a vertical section of the inverted cup for cutting off and regulating the supply of the ink to the pad. Fig. '20' is aHdet-ail view in elevation of the ink cup or reservoir. 2lv is a detail section of the carriage and guideways therefor on the line Y Y of Fig.

slidably mounted upon the shaft carrying the trip-lever for throwing the machine into and t', looking in the direct-ion of the arrow and indicating a portion of the follower connected therewith. Fig. 22 isa detail view in perspective of the ftoothed segment, which is out of gear when driven'by electric or other power. Fig. 23 is la detail view in perspective' of a toot-hed segment secured to the shaft carrying the trip-lever. Fig. 24 is a detail vieWin-elevation of the movable frame carrying the bed-roller. Fig. 25 is a detail viewof the toothed segment-lever for throwiing the bed-roller away from the print-ingcylinder when required. Fig. 26 is a detail v iew "ef the type-holder, the parts being sep'- aated. l

Corresponding and like parts are referred to inthe following description and indicated bed or table.

Fig.

way 4, which receives the pile of letters to be n canceledand postmarked. Thislongitudinal wall 3 is composed of strips spaced apart and secured to brackets 5, which in turn are made fast to the table. The inner end of the wall 3 is deected, as shown at 6, so as to. facilitate the passage of the letters thereby. An end wall is located at the inner terminus of the letter-way 4 and supports the letters and is composed of transverse strips and end brackets 8, the latter being secured to the Bars 9, parallel with each other and the strips 7, are secured to the outer I bracket 8 and terminate a short distance from the inner bracket 8 and are supplied with points or teeth 10, which incline at their outer ends toward the wall 3. These teeth or points 10 are needle-shaped and are intended tovenga'ge with the proximal letter and prevent its outward movement when the feeder is returning to a starting position. Y Upper and lower rollers 1l are journaled to the transverse strips 7 and are lubricated hy oil-cups 12, snpported by means of arms 13, projecting inward from the end brackets-8. These rollers 11 are grooved to receive the outer edges of the extreme bars 14 ofthe feeder, thereby serving to direct the latter in its reciprocating movements.

The` feeder comprises upper and lower bars IOO corresponding grooves of the rollers 1l, a connecting-plate 15, secured at its ends to the bars 14 and provided with outwardly-extending ears 1'6, and a series of parallel bars 1'7, firmly attached to the connecting-piece 15 and provided with inclined teeth or points 18 of like construction to the teeth 10. The needle-pointed teeth 18 are a trie shorter than `the needle-pointed teeth 10 and incline in the same direction. Hence the feeder in operation can reciprocate yin a straight line without throwing the contiguous letter outward when returning to a starting-point prior to again moving forward to advance thenext letter to the printing mechanism. The toothed bars 17 alternate with the toothed bars 9, and the two sets of ybars are studded with needle-points in sufficient number to effect the desired end. The toothed bars 9 conc stitute the restraining mechanism to hold/in check and preventthe outward movement of the letter adjacent thereto when the feeder moving forward and carrying the letter to the printing mechanism. Theinclination ofthe teeth 1S and their rubbing against the letters when returning t a starting position keeps them sharpened and in prime working condi- IKO izs

.is returning to a starting position prior lto tion, thereby avoiding .the necessity forstoppincr the machine and removing the feederl for pointing the teeth, which is the casew'i-thlike feeding mechanisms in which the teeth engage with the letters only when them through the machine.

The separating mechanism consists' of 'a The springs 19 have their free ends projecting beyond the plane of the end wall of the' letter-way 4, and in conjunction with the deiiecting ends 6 of the wall 3 constituteathroat or passage for the letters. The inner end of `the rod 2O comes opposite the space formed between the springs 19 and projects slightlybeyondthe plane of said springs,as indicated most clearly in Figs. 2, 3, and 9, so as to deflect the middle portion of the letter 2l passing between the parts 19 and 20, as indicated in Fig. 9, whereby the letter next in order after the one passing through/the throat will beengaged by the rod 20 and be held in check and prevented from following through with the letter to be canceled. The terminal portion of the rod 20 is curved away from the4 plane of the wall 3 and may be rigid or' spring, and both-forms have been used with equally good results. The outer end portion of the rod 2O is threaded, as shown at 22, and

receives an adjusting-nut 23, having a. polygonal-sided head 24, against which a spring' 25 bears, vso as to hold the nut 23 in/an adj usted position. A coil-spring 26 is mounted `upon the rod 20 and exerts an inner pressure thereon, so as to hold its inner endin working relation with the springs 19. This spring admits of the rod 2O moving outward in the event of a thick letter passing between the parts19 and (20. A pin 27, projecting from a side of' the rod 20 and operating in a slot 28 of a guide-lug 29, prevents turning of the rod and maintains itin proper relation during its various adjustments and movements. The parts19 are flat springs and. have their inner ends curved and secured to the inner bracket 8, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 8.

A vertical'shaft 30 is journaled in a bracket.

31, appliedto the stand or frameworkv ofthe machine, and is provided at its lower end with a bevel friction-pinion 32 to engage with a bevel friction-gear33, made fast to the outer end of a' horizontal shaft 34, slidably4 mounted in the bracket 3l, and a hanger 35.` A gear-wheel 36 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 30 and is in mesh with a pinion 37 of a vertical shaft 38 and with a pinion 39 of a vertical shaft 40, which is provided at its upper end with the stacker-reel 41,A consisting of. a hub having a series of curved lugs and a series of curved arms 42, applied at their inner ends to the said curved lugs.

It is contemplatedl to have the- Foroperatin g the machine by electric or other power thellatter is applied to a band-pulley 43, secured to the horizontal shaft 34; but if itbe desired to operate the machine by handlpower a gear-wheel 44 is provided and is in "mesh with the pinion 37 and is adapted to have a crank 45 tted thereto. When the machine is run by hand-power, the horizontal shaft 34 is moved inward, so as to thi-,ow the` friction-gear 33 out of engagement with the friction-pinion 32, and power will be transmitted to the reel-shaft 40 by the gear-wheel 36. The printing-cylinder 46.,i,s secured to the -upper end of the shaft-38, so as to rotate therewith. A crank'47 hasadjustable connection with the vertical shaft 38, and a pitman 48 connects it with the feeder by making pivotal connection at its outer end with the lugs 16.A By having the crank 47 adj ustably connected with the shaft 38 the feeder is operated independently of the printing-cylinder, and the throw of the feeder can be regulated to anicety with reference to the printing mechanism.

The bed-roller 49 is journaled upon a pin 50, supported in the fork members of a bracket or Frame51, slidablymoun-ted in a bearing 52, secured to the bed or table 1. y,Apin 53 is applied to the slotted portion of the bracket 5l and receives a spring 54, which is confined between a part of the bearing 52 and a stop 55 of the pin 53 and serves to hold the bracket 51 projected when unrestrained, whereby the bed-roller 49 is brought intoforcible engagement with the printing-cylinder 46. A rod 56 is secured at one end to the bearing 52, and its outer end'is threaded and passes through a lug 57of the bracket 5l and receives a nut 58, which constitutes a 4stop to engage with the lug 57 and with it limit the forward movement of the bracket 51 andthe bed-roller carried thereby.4 A lever 59' is fulcrumed to the bearing-lng 29 and has a toothed segment 60 and a roller 61, the latter being adapted to engage with a side flange 62 of the bracket 51, so as to move the latter outward and withdraw the bed-roller 49 from engagement with the printing-cylinder 46 when the outer end of the lever 59 is depressed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Y

A transverse shaft 63 is jou rnaled in bearings 64, secured to thelunder side'of the table 1, and a toothed segment 65 is keyed or otherwise secured thereto to turn therewithl lOO position when liberated; but in order to render its action more certain -a spring 69 connects it with a part of the stand. A toothed segment 70 is loosely mounted upon the shaft l63 and is slidable thereon, audits hub is formed with a half-clutch 71, corresponding .shaft 63 according as it is required to gear or ungeaithe parts 60 and 70. A toothed segment 73 is pivoted to the hanger 35 and is in mesh with the toothed segment 70 and is formed with or has applied thereto an extension 74, provided Vwith a cam-slot 75, which receives a pin 76, applied to the forked end.

- of a swivel extension of the shaft 34, whereby shaft 30 as required.

when turning the shaft 63 in one or the other direction the horizontal shaft 34 will have imparted thereto a longitudinal movement, so as to throw it into and out of gear with the When the lever 721s thrown into the position indicated by vdotted lines in Fig. 5, the parts 65 and 70 are thrown out of gear, thereby permitting the machine to be run by hand; but when it is required to operate the machine by power other than hand-power the leve/r 72 assumes the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 5.

A rock-shaft 77 is mounted transverse of the machine andis provided with an arm 78, which extends through an openingimthe table, so as to be engaged by the hand when'it is required to trip the arm 67 to throw the machine out of action and the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder. A spring 79 connects an arm 8O of the rock-shaft with a part of the stand, thereby holding the shaft 77 in position to be tripped and to engage with the arm 67. An arm 81 is secured to the shaft 77 and normally occupies a position to engage with the arm 67 and hold it elevated, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 7, when the lever 59 will occupy an upright position and the bed-roller come in contact with the printing-cylinder. When the arm 67 is released by means of the trip mechanism-,it will assume the position shown by full lines inv Fig. 7 and lower the free end of the lever 59 and bring its roller 6l into forcible engagement with the vertical flange 62 of the sli-dable bracket 5l and move it outward and carry the bed-roller 49 away from the printing-cylinderagainst the tension of the spring 54. When the lever 59 is turnedinto an upright position, the lever 67 is brought into engagement with the arm 8l and the bracket 51 is released, thereby permitting.. the spring 54 to regain itself and move the bracket 5l and ad- Vance the bed-roller t-o the printing-cylinder.`

An adjustable stop 82 is applied to the upper ,end of the arm 78 and is adapted to be struck by the carriage 83 when the last letter has passed through the machine, thereby throwingtheoperating parts out of action in the manner set forth.

l'lhecarriage 88 has pairs of grooved rollers 84 traveling u pon upper and lower tracks arranged in parallel relation upon opposite sides ofa longitudinal slot 85, formed in the table stacker-reel.

1 at the bottom of the letter-way 4. The tracks 86 are of like formation and consist of flattened tubes secured to the under side of the table and having their opposing sides slotted to receive the rollers 84. The parts bordering upon the slots of the parts 86 constitute, in effect, upper and lower tracks, which receive the upper and lower parts of the rollers 84, so as to guide the carriage in'its reciproeating movement and prevent any possible binding thereof.v An end portion 87 projects from the carriage 83 and has the follower 88 pivoted thereto, thereby allowing of said follower being turned aside when required, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. A lug 89 is formed at the lower edge of the follower 88 and operates in the slot 85 and makes positive connection with the carriage 83 .by entering an opening formed therein. lower edge of the follower is notched, so as to clear elevated ways 90, applied to the bottom of theletter-wa-y 4, so as to reduce the friction upon the letters to a minimum amount. Parallel strips 91 project from the inner face of the'follower 88 and `are adapted to come between the toothed bars 9 and 17 and prevent injurious contact of the needle-points with the follower after the last letter has passed through ,the machine. connection at one endvwith the carriage 83 and passes over the direction-pulley 93 at one en d of the machine and is provided with a `weight 94 at its lower end, said weight serving to advance the carriage and the pile of letters placed .i n the letter-way 4. A p'voted catch 95 has connection with the carr'age and is adapted to engage one of a series of notches 96 in the edge of the table, so as to hold the follower 88 when moved away from the feeding mechanism. y f l A longitudinal wall 97 is .arranged at the rear edge of the table and provides a letterway 98, which receives the letters after they have passed through the machine. A Wall 99 at the inner end of the letter-way 98 supports lthe letters as they are received from the canceling mechanism and is slotted for the operation therethrough of the arms of the A longitudinal feed-screw 100 is journaled in bearings applied to the table, and its upper portion works through `a slot 101,- formed lengthwise of the table, thereby permitting the threadof the screw to make positive engagement with the lower edges of the letters, so as to feed them along positively in the letter-way 98. The upper portion of the feed-screw 100 projects slightly abovethe plane of the bottom of thev letter-way 98 for shaft 40. The thread of the feed-screw is omitted at intervals, as shown at 104, thereby providing for a self-adjusting of the letters at iny tervals,which is essential, because of the varying thickness of miscellaneous mail-matter.

The

ros

rio

The follower 105 has its lower edge adapted to be engaged positively with the threaded sections of the 'feed-screw so as to be moved thereby. When the follower reaches the plain portions 104 of the 4feed-screw, itis -lnoved by the pressure' of the letters thereeration of the stacking-reel and partlyto the l with groovedpulleys 107, which operate heaction of the feed-screw upon the lettersin contact therewith. A carriage 106 is provided tween upper'and lower tracks 108. The follower 105 has pivotal connection withthe carriage, so as to be thrown up out of the way, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig'. 4. A cord 109 isattached at its inner end to the carriage' 106 and passes over a guide-pulley 110 and is provided at its lower end with a weight 111,

1 which acts to return the carriage to the inner end of the letter-way 98 after the stack lof letters have'been removed from the said letter-Way 98.

The printing-cylinder is a shell of circular form, closed at its upper end by'a cap-plate 112,l detachably'tted thereto. A recess is formed in an edge portion of the shell andreceives the type-holder, consisting of a plate 113 and end extensions 114. Other plates 115 are fitted between the end extensions 114 and 'have their end portions notched to receive 'said end extensions 114, whereby the plates 115 are prevented from lateral displacement. The printing-types 1 16 are fitted between the plates 115 and have interlocking grooves and projections at their edges, which prevent outward displacement of Athe types after vthey have been placed in position. A screw' or pin 117 passes through the head portions-of the printing-cylinder and through the typeholder and secures the latter to the cylinder. The canceling-type 118 is secured to the printing-cylinder at one side of the postmarking mechanism. This printing-cylinder is s ecured upon the shaft 38, so as to revolve therewith. I

The roller-bed consists of a sleeve 119, having a flange 120 at one end and a collar 121 detachably fitted to its opposite end. Apacking 122, of rubber or other compressible material, is mounted' upon the sleeve 119 and confined between the parts 120 and 121 and projects slightly beyondr the edges of said parts, seas to come in contact with the printingr-types '116 and 118 and prevent injury thereto. 'lh'e packing 1.221 is in the form of a roll which is adapted to be slipped upon the sleeve 119after the collar 121 has been removed therefrom. The edges of the parts 120 and 121 are made hollow or grooved to' matchwith the corresponding convex edges of the heads or upper and lower parts of the printing-cylinder, so as to secure snfiicient The follower isl grip upon theletters 21 to feed them positively through the machine and obviate any p'ossible slipping, whereby a clear impression is secured.

The inker 123 is mounted upon ,an adjustable bar 124 and consists of a cup 125, having a series of annular grooves 126 in its lower end portion, with which communicate openings 127, extending through the sides of the cup and communicating with the interior thereof.. A stem 1-28 rises centrally from the bottom of the cup and receives a cup-shaped cut-off 129, which is slidably mounted thereon and which `fits snugly within the cup 125. The lower edge of the cut-011129 is beveled outwardly, so as to provide a scraping edge to remove the ink from the sides of the cup 125.`

A strip or band of felt 130 encircles the lower portion of the cup 125 andris supplied with ink from the cup and comes in contact with the printing-surfaces and inks them when the machine is inoperation. The ink is supplied to the cup 125,'and its 'ow'to thepad 130 is ,regulated by the cut-0E 129, which can be moved so as to expose any number of the openings 127 or close said openings after the padhas received-a sufficient supply of -ink or when the machine is inactive.

A trough 131, of V form, is fitted to a side of the machine andis adapted to receive the letters and facilitate the evenin g thereof prior to placing them in the letter-way 4. Brackets 132 are secured to the sides of the trough, and their upper horizontal portions are apertured to receive bracket-lugs 133, applied `to a side of the machine, thereby admitting of the trough being detached from the machine and quickly placed in position when required for service. The lower horizontal portions of the brackets 132 rest against the sides of the stand and brace and support the trough in proper position.

The letters to be' canceled and postmarked are arranged in a pile inthe letter-way 4 in advance of the follower 88 and are moved toward the inner end of said letter-way by the force appliedto the follower, therebyI bringing the letters in contact with the feeding mechanism, which latter advances the lettersV singly to the printing mechanism, thence into the letter-way 98, where they are acted upon by the reel 41, which stacksthem in said letter way. After the last letter has passed through the machine the carriage 83 will come in contact with the trip mechanism and throw the machine out ofaction and the roller-bed HOO IIO

tion or stress between the operating parts to a minimum amount.

The carriage 83, in addition to the weighted cord 92, has a spiral spring 136 connected therewith, so as to insure a positive feed of the mail-matter placed in the letter-way 4. This spring 136 is formed of spring-wire of small gage and is connected at its ends to the table and carriage 83, respectively. When the carriage is moved along the letter-'way 4, the spring 136 is stretched, and its tension increases proportionate to the distanceof the carriage 83 from the end wall of the letter- Way, and this is of advantage, because the greater the quantity. of letters in the letterway the more force will be required to be applied to the carriage to move the bulk of let-k ters toward the feeding mechanism. As the bulk of letters decreases the load diminishes and the strength of the spring lessens. Hence there is, in a measure,compensation provided for as between' the work to be performed and the force exerted for eecting'the Wo. k.

..Having thus described the invention, whatA is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for markingmail-matter, a

yletter-Way comprising a longitudinal and an Aend wall and havinga discharge at the inner end of thelongitudinal Wall, separating mechanism atthe discharge, marking mechanism and means for advancing the letters along the letter-way, in combination with a feeder operating across the end wall and having a plurality of alined points adapted to engage with the letters at places in their lateral. andy ,longitudinal extent and to move said letters singly toward the markingmechanism, means for operating said feeder, and means serving to positively canse the feeder to traverse a straight path on the forward movement thereof whereby it will be maintained in the same transverse relationv with the letter-,way during such advancing movement, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for marking mail-matter,

the combination with the printing mechanism, a letter-way having a discharge at one end, a separator located at said discharge, and means for advancing the letters `along the letter-way, of a feeder having projecting teeth, and a restraining mechanism also having projecting teeth the ends of which extend slightly beyondthe ends of the first-mentioned teeth, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for'marking mail-matter,l

the combination with two coperating printing members one of which is-shiftable relatively to the other, of means for normally maintaining the shiftable member in working relation with its companion, mechanism for positively feeding letters between said members, and means controlled bythe letter-feed' ing mechanism and automatically operable for throwing said shiftable member out otworking relation with thecnperatin g roller discharge, and means for advancingthe let` ters along the letter-Way, of a reciprocating feeder for advancing the letters to -the printing mechanism, and a restraining mechanism for preventing the outward movement of the letters when the feeding mechanism is returning to a starting position, said restraining mechanism comprising inclined needle-points or teeth to make posit-ive engagement with the letters, substantially as specified.'

5. In a machine forl marking mail-matter, the combination with the printing mechanism, a letter-way having a side discharge at its inner end, a separator located at said discharge, and means for advancing the letters along the letter-way, of a reciprocating feeder comprising teeth or needle-points inclining at their active ends toward the inner side of the letter-way, and a restraining mechanism comprising inclined needle -points having their active ends projecting slightly beyond the plane of the active ends of the teeth of the feeding mechanism, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

6. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the printing mechanism, a letter-Way having a side ,discharge at its 'inner end a separator located at the said discharge, means for advancing the letters along the letter-way, and a wallat the inner end of the letter-way comprising bars spaced apart and provided with inclinedneedlepoints, of a feeding mechanism comprising bars, alternating with the bars of the said inner walLand provided with inclined needle.-

pointsterminating short of the plane of the active ends of the needle-,points applied'to the said end wall, and means forl reciprocating the feeding mechanism in straight lines, substantially as described.

7. -In a machine for vmarking mail-matter, the combination with the printing mechanism, a letter-way having a side discharge at its inner end, a separator located at the side discharge, and means for moving the mailmatter along the letter-Way, of a wall disposed at the inner end of the letter-way, upper and lower' pulleys secured to said end Wall, toothed bars applied'to the end wall and constituting a restraining mechanism, and a reciprocating feeder mounted between the aforesaid pulleys and comprising toothed bars, substantially assetforth. y

8. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with printing mechanism; of a letter-way having a discharge, a separator at said discharge, a feeding mechanism comprising toothed bars, a. follower located in parallelism with and movable toward said feeding mechanism,l operable to advance the,

letters along the letter-Way, and projectionsl on the inner face of the-oilower spaced apart and serving to prevent injurious contact of 'the follower with the teeth of the feeding mechanism, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for marking mail-matter,

` the combination with a lctterway,'and the marking mechanism, of a carriage beneath the letter-way and having 'a projecting por tion at one side thereof, a-follower having pivotal connection with the s aid projecting portion of the carriage so as to be thrown npward and Ol'itwarda'nd independentmeans of support between Athe follower and-carriage, substantially as specified.

10. ln a machine for -marking inail-matter, the combination with a letter-way and the marking mechanism, of a carriage, and a fol-v lower having pivotal connection with the car- `riageso as to be thrown up out of the way,

and an interlocking projection between the `follower and carriage tosccure the foliower when in `working position, substantially as described. t

l1. In a machine for marking lmail-n`iatter, the combination with the marking mechanism, and a letter-wayhaving a longitudinal slot in its bottom,lof a carriage, and a follower having pivotal connectionwith the car- `riage and provided at its lower edge with a standing portion, means for advancing the carriage positively along the letter-way, a

catch applied to the projecting portion of the carriage and adapted to engage with the notches of the letter-way to secure it in the desired position, and a follower pivoted to the oistandin g portion of thc carriage to be thrown upward and outward,tsnbstantially as set forth.

f3. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking mechan ism and a letter-way having a longitudinal slot in its bottom,of a carriage having an end portion projecting beyond the 'letter-way, a followenpivotally connect ing at one end with the projecting end portion of the carriage and having a lprojecti-n g part at its lower edge to pass through the aforesaid longitudinal slot and enteran opening inthe carriage, and a catch applied to the carriage for securing it in a desired position, substantially as and for the pnrpos'e set forth;

M. 4ina machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking meohan ism, a letter-way having aside discharge at its inner end, means for advancing the letters al'ongthe letter-way, and a feeding mechanism, of a separator located at the said discharge of the letter-way and comprising complementary parts projecting toward eachand across the'plane of the spaced members,

whereby the letters are deflected between their edges in their' passage between the elements of the separator, substantially as set forth. Y

l5. In a machine for marking inail-matter,

the `combination with the marking inechan' ism -a letter-Wav having a side discharge at its i ner end, means for advancing the letters along the lettenway, and a feeding mechanism, of a separator located at the said dis- ,chargeV of thelletter-Way and comprising upper and lower elements in vertical alinement and spaced apart, and a third element pass'- ingintothe space formed between the aforedescribed pair of elements and beyond the plane thereof whereby the lettersin their passage between the coacting parts of the sepa-- rator are deflected between their edges, substantially as set forth.

16. In a machine for marking mail-matter,

the combination with the marking mechanfisvm, a letter-way having a side discharge at its inner end,and feeding mechanism, of a ypair of el'ementsprojectingfrom the inner wall of the letter-way and spaced apart, and a third element projecting from the side wall of the letter-way into the space formed between the aforesaid pair of elements and beyond the plane thereof whereby the letters are deiect'ed between their edges in their passage through the aforedescrbed discharge of the letter-Way, substantially as and for the purpose specified. A

17. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking mechanism, a letter-.way having a side discharge at its inner end, and a feeding mechanism, of a pair of springs projecting fromthe end wall of the letter-way, and a bar extending from thejlongitndinal wall offthe letter-way and passing through the space formed between the aforesaid springs to cause a deflection of the letters in their passage from the letterwayr to the marking mechanism, substantially' as described. i

18. ln a machine for marking inail-matter, the combination with the marking mechanism, a letter-way having a side discharge at :its'inner end, and feeding mechanisimof a pairof spaced springs projecting from the end wall of the letter-way, and a ioar yieldingly mounted and projecting from the side wall of the lettenway and passingthrongh the space formed between the aforesaid springs to den tiect the lette-rs when passing from the'letter way to the marking mechanism, substantially as set forth for the purpose specified.

19. Vin a niachinefor marking mail-matter, the'comhination with the 4marking mechanism, aletter-way having a side discharge at its inner end, and a feeder, of a separator comrising a rod siidabi rmonntcd a sprintn non b s .5 i..

mally projecting the rod within the path of the letters, a bearing-lug having a longitudinal slot, and a pin projecting yfrom a side of the rod and operating in a slot of the bearinglug to maintain the rod in proper position,

substantially as set forth.

20. In a machinel for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking mechanism, a letter-way havin-g a side discharge at its inner end, and a feeder, of a separator comprising a rod slidably mounted and having a threaded portion, a spring for normally holding the rod projected across the path of the letters, a nut mounted upon the threaded portionof the'rodl and constituting an adjustable stop to limit its forward movement, said nut having a polygonal portion, and a flat'spring adapted to bear laterally against a attened side of the nut to hold it-in an adjusted position,.substantially as described.

2l. In amachine for marking mail-matter, the combination with marking mechanism and a letter-way, of a feed-screw located adjacent to the letter-wayv and the thread of which is adapted to,A engage the letters and feed them along said letter-way,and a follower in position to vbe directly engaged and operated by Saidfeed-screw and movable lengthwise of the same, substantially as described.

22. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with a marking mechanism and a letter-way, of a feed-screw. disposed to have the letters make positive contact therewith, andhaving the threaded portions interrupted at intervals in the length ofthe feed-screw, and a follower controlled in its movements by the feed-screw, substantially as set forth.

23. In a machine for markingmail-matter, the combination with the marking .mechanism, anda letter-way, of a feed-screw, a carism, and a letter-way, of a feed-screw having its thread interrupted at intervals in its length, a carriage, means for normally applying pressure to thecarriage :for-moving it in' opposition to-the feed-screw, and a follower having pivotal connection with the carriage and adapted to make engagement with the threaded portion ofthe feed-screw whereby the carriage is .moved in opposition to the force applied thereto, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

25. In ya machine for marking mail-matter,

-the combination with the printing-cylinder and bed-roller,`and actuating mechanism therefor, comprising a starting and a stopping mechanism, of a bracket carrying the bed-roller, a spring normally exerting a pres- I sure upon the bracket -'to hold the bed-roller against the printing-cylinder,and a lever for moving the bracket against the tension of its spring to separate" the printing-cylinder and bed-roller and simultaneously actuating the starting and stopping mechanism, substantially as set forth.

26. In a machine for markingmail-matter,

the combination with the printing-cylinder and the bed-roller, of a bearing, a bracket and a bed-roller, of a bearing, a bracket slidably mounted with respect to the bearing and carrying the bed-roller, a spring normally eX- erting a pressure upon the bracket to hold the bed-roller in contact with the printingcylinder, a' fixed rod applied tothe bracket, and an adjustable stop mounted upon the vrod and projecting within the path of a portion of the slidably-mounted bracket to limit its forward'movemen-t, substantially as set forth.

28. In amachine for marking mail-matter, the combination with lthe, printing-cylinder land the bed-roller, of a bracket slidably' A.mounted and carrying the bed-roller and having an offstanding lug, a spring exerting a pressure against the bracket to normally hold the bed-roller in contact with the printingcylinder, a fixed rod having a threaded portion passing loosely through an opening in IOO the ofstanding lug of the bracket, anda stop adjnstably mounted upon the threaded portion of the rod and adapted to come in. contact with the aforedescribed offstanding lug, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

29. In a machine for markingmail-matter,

the combination-with the printing-cylinder and a bed-roller slidably mounted, of alever adapted to move the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder, an arm operatively connected with the said lever and constructed tol l normally hold the/bedlroller away from the prin ting-cylinder; a rock-shaft provided with IIO means to engage with the said arm vto holdit Y and the aforedescribed lever connectedtherewith out of action Vwith reference` to the bedroller whereby the latter isradapted to copj ycrate with the printing-cylinder, anda trip'- arm applied to the rock-shaft forreleasing the aforesaid arm and lever whereby the bedrolle'r isv moved away from the printing-cylinder, substantially as set forth. jV

30. I-n a machine for marking mail-matter,

the combination with the printing-cylinder and the bed-roller slidably mounted and when .unrestrained normally held in coutactwith --the printing-cylinder, of a lever for throwing the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder, an arm 67 operatively connected with the lever for holding the bedroller away from `the printing-cylinder when liberated, means for engaging with the arm 67 and holding the 'aforesaid lever ont of engagement with the t bed-roller whereby the latter is permitted to applied tothe toothed segment, means for engaging with and holding the arm 67 `whereby the segment-lever is held outV of contact with the bed-roller, and a trip-arm for releasing the arm 67, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 4

32. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the'combination with the printinggcylinderv and a cooperating bed-roller slidahl ymounted and normally tending to coperate` with the printing-cylinder, of acontrollingmechanism for throwing the bed-rller away from the printing-cylinder, a trip mechanism for said controlling mechanism, and a follower for advancing the letters and adapted to come in contact with the trip mechanism and release the aforedescribed controlling mechanism of the bed-roller whereby the latter is moved away from the printing-cylinder, substantially as set-forth.

33. In a machine forinarking mail-matter, the combination with the printing-cylinder, a cooperating bed-roller normally tending to come in contact with the printing-cylinder when unrestrained, and a follower, of a con' trolling mechanism for holding the'bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder, a trip mcch-t f anism for engaging with the said controllingr mechanism and holding it out of action ,when y the machine is running, and an adjustable stop between the trip mechanism and the carriage whereby the aforesaid controlling mechanism is automatically released and the bedroller moved away from the printing-cylinder, substantially Vas described.

34.` In combination, a printing-cylinder, a bed-roller normally held in 'cooperative relation with the printing-cylinder, a segmentlever for throwingY the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder, a toothed segment in mesh with the segment-lever, an arm 67 applied to the toothed segment, a spring exerting a pressure upon the arm 67 to hold the bed-rolleraway from the printing-cylinder, a rock-shaft having an arm to engage with the arm 67 and hold it against the action of its spring, and a trip-arm applied to the rockshaft and adapted to be engaged by hand or to be struck Yby the carriage of the follower to be automatically operated for releasing the arm 67, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

35. In a mail-inarking machine, the combif nation with the marking mechanism and a power-driven shaft slidably mounted for clonnecting and vdisconnecting the power from the v f operating parts, of a segment having a cam portion making positive engagement with vthe power-driven shaft to moveitlongitudinally in its bearings, an arm 67 operatively connected with the said segment, and a trip mechanism for making positive engagement with the arm 67 to effect the movement of the power-driven shaft and hold it in meshing relation -with the shaftfor transmitting motion to the working parts, substantially as set forth.

36. 'In a mail-marking machine, the combination with the markingmechanism, stacking 37. In a machine for marking mail-matter,

the combination with the marking mechanism, and a power-driven shaft slidably mounted to be thrown into or out of `action and having an end portion forked, a toothed segment having a portion formed with a cam-slot and coming between the fork members of 'the power-driven shaft, a pinl connecting said fork members and passing through the camslot, an arm 67 operativelyconnected with the' toothed segment, and a-trip mechanism for engaging with the arm 67 and holding the power-driven shaft. in operative relation and adapted to be tripped by hand orautomatically, substantially 'as set forth.

38. In a machine for marking mail-matter,` the combination with the p rintiiig-cylinder,l

the bed-roller coperating therewith, a lever,V for throwing thev bed-roller away from theAv printing-cylinder, and a power-driven shaft slidably mounted to be thrown into or out of action, of a shaft 63, a. toothed segment 65l secured to the shaft and in meshing relation with the segment-.lever, an armt67 applied-to the toothed segment 65, a toothed segment 73 having a'cam portion to make posit-ive engagement with the power-driven shaft to mov'e it 4endwise in its bearings,` a clutch mechanism for throwing the toothed segment 65 into and out of engagement with the toothed segment 73, and a trip mechanism for engaging with the arm67, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

39. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with the printing-cylinder, the bed- IOO IOS

roller cooperating therewith, a segment-lever for throwing the bed-roller away from the printing-cylinder, and a power-driven shaft slidably mounted to be thrown'into and out of action, of a shaft 63, a toothed segment AG5 secured uponthe shaft 63 and meshing with the segment-lever,an arm 67 applied to the toothed segment 65, a toothed segment70 slidably mounted upon the shaft G3, a clutch mechanism between the toothed segments 65 and 70, atoothed segment 73 in meshing relation with the toothed segment 7() and having a cam portion making positive engagement with the power-driven shaft to throw the latter into and out of action, and a trip mechanism for the arm G7, substantially asI and for the purpose set forth.

40. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the printing-cylinder, of a bed-roller, and coperating concave and convex portions between the printing-cylthe recess and comprising a curved plate having laterally-extending portions, and other curved plates adapted to be slipped between the said laterally-extending portions of the first-mentioned plate, and interlocking therewith, substantially as set forth.

42. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with a circular body having a recess in its peripheral edge, of a type-holder comprising a plate having endpieces, other plates having their ends notched to receive the end pieces of the first-mentioned plate, and types secured between the plates and having corresponding interlocking grooves and projections at their edges, substantially as set forth.

43. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking mechanism, ot' an inker comprising a cup adapted to receive the supply of ink and having openings in its sid es at .different elevations, and an inverted-eup-shaped cut-off slidably mounted within the cup and having its sides imperfoy lthe purpose sety forth.

45. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with the marking mechanism, ot' an inker comprising a cup `having a series of peripheral grooves in its outer surface and openings connecting the grooves with the interior of the cup, and a cut-ott slidably mounted within the cup and having its inner or lower edge beveled to provide a cutting edge, substantially as described.

46. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with the frame having bracket-lugs, ot' an'approximately -shaped trough for receiving and evening the letters, and brackets applied to a side of the trough, the upper horizontal portions of the bracket being apertured to receive the aforesaid bracket-lugs whereby EDWARD M. vAIL. eIDEoN POTTER.

Witnesses:

ALEXANDER MCLEAN, y JOHN R. MOORE. 

